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Friday, May 24, 2013

Memorial Day feels like the official start of summer- and as we've mentioned before summers in the midwest are the best kinds of summers! We hope you have a safe & fun memorial day- whether you're grilling out, catching up on a good book, relaxing in the pool or spending the weekend away.

Don't forget what the day-off is really about as well- honoring our fallen soldiers!

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

We love promoting upcoming local events around the Midwest, so we're excited to share some details around the Madison, Wisconsin J.Crew styling event this Thursday, May 23rd! Bloggers and fashionistas are invited welcome to come for treats, drinks, and a sneak peak and the June collection. Plus, you're more than welcome to take photos and share about the event with your readers - it should be a fun night!

Have an event you'd like us to share? Email it to us at MidwestStyleBloggers@gmail.com and we'll be happy to share it on our blog/events page!

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

We will be starting a new series on the Midwest Style Bloggers page where we will show how each of our founders style one piece in their own way. Better yet, we want to see how you style it too! Be sure to leave a link to your chambray shirt look so we can all check it out! It's so fun to see how each person interprets trends differently!

Our next post will feature how each of us wears colorful pants and we want to include all of the bloggers in our network too! Be sure to send your links to the Midwest Style Bloggers email so we can post how you wear this trend too (use subject: colorful pants!)

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Friday, May 17, 2013

Happy Friday everyone! We've created this graphic from your thoughts on your favorite ways to spend a Midwest Summer (aren't they the best?!). We are looking forward to doing all of these things and more for the next few months!

Thank you to all of our Midwest bloggers that shared their fun summer ideas with with us (Sam, Katelyn, Sandy, Laney, Erin & Kasey) that shared their fun summer ideas with us!

Share your favorite ways to spend a Midwest summer with us in the comments below or send us a tweet!

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Today we have a guest post from Milwaukee blogger LSilver Style on the perfect party treat that's equally as tasty as it is pretty. Bring it to all your summer cookouts & you will definitely have one happy hostess!

Fruit pizza is one of my favorite desserts! The sugar cookie and cream cheese frosting combo is seriously to die for. And not to mention you get the health benefits of fresh fruit:) Fruit Pizza is definitely a crowd pleaser because in addition to being delicious, it's pretty! Bring it to any party and you'll instantly impress all of the guests:) This recipe is pretty easy to make from scratch but if you're in a time rush (or don't like to bake) you can make it even easier by purchasing pre-made sugar cookie dough in the refrigerator section of your grocery store. If you go this route, you can skip to step #1Ingredients:For the crust:2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 11 1/4 ounces)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup granulated sugar10 tablespoon butter, softened1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract2 large egg whitesFor the Frosting:1 block 1/3 fat cream cheese2 teaspoons vanilla extract1/2 cup white sugar or sugar substituteFor the Toppings:Choose any fruits you like! I usually use strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and kiwi but the choice is yours. If you’re making this dish for a special occasion decorate accordingly by selecting the appropriate color fruits. Ex: fourth of July you could use blueberries, strawberries, raspberries etc.Directions:1.) First you will prepare the cookie crust. Preheat the oven to 375. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, stir together. In a separate large bowl, combine the sugar and butter. With a mixer, beat on medium speed until soft and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and egg whites and continue to beat. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until just combined. Let the dough sit a few minutes. 2.) Grease the bottom of a 9 in round pan with cooking spray. I like to use round pans with removable bottoms for easy decorating. Pat dough onto the bottom of the circular pan so it’s about ¼ inch thick. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until edges have begun browning. If you have a thicker crust, make sure you cook longer. Remove the crust from the oven and set aside to let cool.

3.) Next you’ll want to prepare the frosting. Combine the cream cheese, sugar (or sugar substitute) and vanilla. Beat until combined and well blended. Set aside and let chill in the refrigerator until the crust is completely cooled.4.) Once the crust is 100% cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the crust. If the crust is still warm, it will melt the frosting and the fruit won’t stay in place, so make sure the crust is cooled! 5.) For decorating, (the fun part!) cut fruit into small pieces and place atop the frosting. You can scatter the pieces randomly or do a pattern of your choice. After decorating I like to put the pizza in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let it chill and set.This dish is best served cold, I recommend leaving it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Today is our first guest post from Ginny! Be sure to check out her blog & shoot us an email if you're interested in guest blogging for Midwest Style Bloggers!

Hi, I'm Ginny of My New Favorite Outfit and am excited to me posting over here with the fabulous Midwest Bloggers today. White jeans are all the rage right now, but knowing how to wear them isn't always easy, here are few things to keep in mind when choosing to wear white.

1. Fit is key. Try on several pair before buying. Skimmers are a big trend right now, but other styles are available. Bootcut or flare might be more flattering on you, and you'll ultimately look better in a style that fits your body type. Shape Magazine has a great article detailing this. Here's some of the basics:

Apple- Jeggings are the pant for you, they'll show off your great legs without pinching your waist.

2. Cost can make a difference, these jeans can be an investment piece you'll wear for years. Consider the quality when purchasing. Is the denim going to stretch within a half hour of wearing them, then fit incorrectly? Sometimes spending more can pay off.

3. White is a great neutral and almost anything can go with it! I've put together some great looks to suit almost any occasion.

Click on the picture below to go to the item's website:

Click on the picture below to go to the item's website:

Click on the picture below to go to the item's website:

Here are a few ways I've styled my white jeans:

Ready to invest in your own pair? Come say hi to me over at My New Favorite Outfit when you get a chance, I'd love to get to know you!

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Friday, May 10, 2013

As you can see we've added new pages to the blog. One of the pages is called "Events".

On our events page we will be posting different Midwest blogger meet up opportunities. If you have an event in and around the Midwest that you think our bloggers would like to attend please let us know by sending us an e-mail with details. This includes: fashion and style events, DIY and crafting events, social networking talks or seminars, design and art events, or any other networking opportunity that will help bloggers get to know each other and our different cities and states.

We also want to coordinate once every 2-3 months a state meet-up, where everyone in the collective meets up with the bloggers in their state for lunch, a fun activity and of course a little chit chat. We've love for you all to help us coordinate these. If you're interested please

Go Blog Social is the first Midwest blogging and social media conference! It was born by bloggers, for bloggers with the goal to get social. Founded by our own Midwest Style Blogger members, Blog Professional Sarah Ruhlman from SarahScoop.com and PR Expert Kathryn Mansur from EverydayChicStyle.com.

Go Blog Social Conference is a destination to meet in-person, connect with businesses, learn about the social industry and gain the tools to grow. Whether just starting out or a blog veteran, interested in busiling your brand or a business, Blog Social offers the information, advice and expertise to help you do just that.